DEPI Home > Fire & Other Emergencies > Fires Today > Wildlife rescue

Wildlife can be injured during bushfires. The Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) works with suitably qualified and experienced wildlife care organisations and rehabilitators to assist with the recovery, treatment, rehabilitation and release of wildlife affected by fire.

In fire-affected areas, surviving wildlife will be disoriented, smoke-affected, hungry and severely dehydrated. Many animals will likely to be suffering burns to some degree.

Wildlife may also be displaced by fires and wander into populated areas. Residents can place containers or water above ground in a safe and shady area to assist stressed wildlife in fire-affected areas

Following any bushfire, DEPI will undertake assessments, monitor wildlife recovery and assist in restoration of their habitats.

Wildlife rescue teams are on stand-by to assist in fire-affected areas to treat wildlife. Individuals encountering sick, injured or orphaned wildlife should contact their local wildlife shelter.

This information applies to native wildlife affected by fires only.

Wildlife welfare after bushfires

To find out about the care of wildlife injured by bushfires, please download the following documents:

Wildlife Welfare FAQs [PDF File - 33.1 KB]
Wildlife Welfare FAQs - accessible version [MS Word Document - 259.5 KB]

Information for wildlife rescue volunteers

DEPI and CFA in conjunction with volunteer wildlife rescue groups and carers, have developed a set of protocols for working together at fires to ensure that wildlife rescuers have access to fire grounds as soon as practicably possible to assist injured wildlife, and that they remain safe during recovery operations.

Wildlife rescue groups and volunteers should ensure that they are familiar with these protocols, have the appropriate training and safety gear when attending all fire areas and have contacted DEPI or CFA before entering any fire area.

Wildlife rescue volunteers working with DEPI must have successfully completed the National Short Course titled ‘Course in Basic Wildfire Awareness’ or the CFA equivalent, have a current Wildlife Shelter permit, Foster Carer authorisation or veterinary qualifications, or be accompanied by someone who does; and wear and use DEPI-approved personal protective equipment (PPE).

Irrespective of whether an individual meets the above minimum requirements, all volunteers involved in wildlife rescue operations may only enter the fireground with the approval of the Incident Controller.

Wildlife protocols and documents

Wildlife Rescue Protocol - DEPI CFA October 2010 [PDF File - 1.7 MB]
Wildlife Rescue Protocol - DEPI CFA - October 2010 - accessible version [MS Word Document - 1.8 MB]

Wildlife Protocols Fact Sheet for Volunteers - October 2010 [PDF File - 295.0 KB]
Wildlife Protocols Fact Sheet for Volunteers - October 2010 - accessible version [MS Word Document - 608.0 KB]

A summary document highlighting the key information for Wildlife Volunteers wishing to assist during bushfire incidents.

PPE Price List for Wildlife Volunteers [PDF File - 20.3 KB]
PPE price list for Wildlife Volunteers (accessible version) [MS Word Document - 46.5 KB]

An indicative price list for the Personal Protective Equipment that volunteers are required to have before entering a fireground.

No ABN form [PDF File - 129.3 KB]. 

A form for volunteers wishing to purchase Personal Protective Equipment who do not have an ABN.

Road closures

During some fire situations, traffic into an area where fire is occurring may be restricted and/or regulated and some roads may be closed. For information about road closures at bushfire incidents, please visit VicRoads.